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Non-Roster Invitees Who Could Make Phillies Opening Day Roster

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Entering his first season in the U.S., Koyo Aoyagi is among the Phillies non-roster invitees to spring training looking to make the Opening Day roster.

The Philadelphia Phillies have several non-roster invitees to spring training with a decent chance to make the Opening Day roster. While the Phillies have some top prospects as non-roster invitees, none will be on the initial 26-man roster. One such prospect is Andrew Painter, who will not appear in the majors until later this season. Justin Crawford might also appear in the majors later in the season, but in all likelihood, he will not be on the Opening Day roster. Aidan Miller is not expected to play in the majors this season but will get a chance to participate in spring training. In total, the Phillies have 26 non-roster invitees for spring training.

Phillies Non-Roster Invitees This Spring That Might Make Opening Day Roster

Each of these players are pitchers who will be in a battle for the available bullpen spot during spring training. This is the most crowded of the Phillies’ position competitions. Max Lazar, Tyler Phillips and Taijuan Walker are among the other notable names competing for the spot. Phillips is out of minor league options, so his not making the team would free up a 40-man roster spot for someone else. That will make it easier for a non-roster invitee to make the Opening Day roster. Currently, the Phillies do not have an open 40-man roster spot. None of the three players on this list have previously pitched in the Phillies organization.

Koyo Aoyagi

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Aoyagi will attempt to become the third Japanese player to play for the Phillies. This is his first season with a major league organization. Aoyagi made three All-Star appearances in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He recorded a 61-47 record with a 3.08 ERA in nine seasons in Japan. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reported that Aoyagi will probably start the season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. However, if the sidearmer makes enough of an impression during spring training, he could easily make the Opening Day roster. Aoyagi has all three minor league option years available.

Nabil Crismatt

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Crismatt has the most major league experience of the players on this list. In 114 career outings, he has a 9-6 record along with a 3.71 ERA across five seasons. Crismatt has a 106 ERA+ and a 3.97 FIP in his major league career. Last season, he made five appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching to a 1-1 record with a 2.57 ERA in seven innings of work. He also recorded a 158 ERA+ and a 3.31 FIP last season. Crismatt is the most likely of these players to be on the Phillies’ Opening Day roster. It is worth noting Crismatt is out of minor league options.

John McMillon

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McMillon also has previous major league experience. In 14 career outings, he has a 2-1 record with a 1.69 ERA in 16 innings of work, along with a 278 ERA+ and a 3.13 FIP. McMillon had a 2-1 record with a 1.50 ERA in 10 games for the Miami Marlins last season. Furthermore, he had a 309 ERA+ and a 3.33 FIP in 2024. The Phillies claimed McMillon off waivers in November. While it’s a limited sample size, he has had more major-league success than other candidates. McMillon has two minor league option years available.

 

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